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Color story
Pinks, reds, cool blues
Mood board
Inspired by the 1980's, my mother, and ballet
Final lineup
Mood board
Inspired by Princess Diana
3D sketching
Detailed sketches
References from Princess Diana's wardrobe to inspire collection pieces
Muse connections
Materiality swatches
Detailed flats
Initial ideations
Artist's statement
In my collection "Diana Mama Ballet," I selected three disparate muses and designed a cohesive collection with each in mind. My muses — Princess Diana of Wales, my mother, and the art of ballet — each held significance in the symbolism, silhouettes, and materiality of my designs.
Princess Diana, the most prominent muse in my collection, has been an important figure in my life since the third grade. Upon completing a research project about her life and royal contributions at age 9, I became infatuated with her sense of elegance and kindness. While I developed a strong understanding of Diana’s philanthropic efforts and love for her country, at the time, I was shielded from her misfortunes. Now, as an adult with the ability to understand Princess Diana on a deeper level, I have great respect and admiration for her fortitude and compassion for others during a time in which her life was all but easy. Her most recognized ensembles are honored throughout my collection, reflected in materiality, print, and silhouette; her philanthropic efforts are similarly included. Patterns are extracted from the Red Cross logo and the Halo Trust, and construction processes, such as quilting, are derived from the quilts worn by AIDS patients during Diana’s visits. Despite her unhappy ending, I wanted to flip Diana’s narrative to reflect her wonderful contributions to the world rather than her untimely death.
My mother is my greatest and forever muse. Having such a strong connection to my mother, I wanted to insert her essence into the collection while keeping her contributions parallel with Diana’s. My mother’s love of athleisure and her sense of ease allowed my collection to become more casual and modern. I imagine her aura to include the shades of red and pink used frequently throughout my collection, as she carries a sense of warmth and love wherever she goes.
The art of ballet brought a sense of soft elegance and fragility to a powerful collection. Many details throughout are derived from the tradition of ballet in conjunction with the accessories and bold styling of the 1980s.
The color story is extracted from both Diana and my mother’s closets. Saturated forms of pink and red, both uplifting colors, are meant to exude feelings of joy for both the wearer and passerby. Delicate shades of pink and blue pay homage to traditional ballet costuming.
The accessories are inspired by Diana’s closet, my mother’s love of jewelry layering, 1980s workout wear, and ballet costumes. British fascinators and pearls come directly from Diana, as she was frequently photographed in both.
My collection encapsulates all that I love about each muse: Diana’s compassion and elegance, my mother’s warmth and playfulness, the fragility of ballet, and the energy of the 1980s. Diana | Mama | Ballet honors the beauty behind each source of inspiration and pushes forward the idea of love and playfulness during times of struggle.
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